Big Expectations for Dallas Cowboys in 2024

August 27, 2024 by CollegeFootballPoll.com Staff

Now that CeeDee Lamb is signed to a $136 million, four-year deal with $100 mil guaranteed, another huge piece of the Dallas Cowboy puzzle for 2024 has been taken care of.

The superstar receiver had 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago.

Many are touting the Cowboys as the team to beat in the NFC East and a top contender for the Super Bowl. Now might be the time to load up on the wagers as the Dallas odds at FanDuel.com have them 2nd in the division (+175) behind Philadelphia (-140), and an over/under win total of just 9.5. In addition, they're are confoundingly tied for 9th with the New York Jets in Super Bowl odds.

The 2024 Dallas schedule is ranked 9th toughest and that might be generously high as it includes the woeful NFC South. The hardest part of their schedule could be the AFC crossover division as they draw the and the North division that was topped by Baltimore (13-4), followed by Cleveland (11-6), Pittsburgh (10-7) and Cincinnati (9-8).

Last year, Tampa Bay and New Orleans topped the NFL South with 9-8 records, and the Panthers were a woeful 2-15.

Dallas won the NFC East (12-5) and was perfect at home (8-0) until their season came to an unexpected halt with a 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

In the offseason, Dallas hired Mike Zimmer to replace Dan Quinn at Defensive Coordinator, and Jeff Zgonina to take Aden Durde's job as Defensive Line Coach.

Not a single stat gets more blame for Dallas' lack of a Super Bowl title than Dak Prescott's 2-5 record in the playoffs, but one has got to think that he can overcome that. Prescott is undoubtedly one of the best QB's in the league and he is coming off his second-best season in throwing yards (4,516) and best for TD passes (36). He also cut down his interceptions from 15 in 2022 to just 9, and he had a passer rating of 105.9 which was second to Brock Purdy among QB's who threw at least 75 passes..

Ezekiel Ellis is back in the fold at running back after wasting a year in New England where he had 184 carries for 642 yards and scored 5 touchdowns in 17 games.

Outside of Lamb, Prescott has Brandin Cooks and tight end Jake Ferguson as weapons.

In the offseason, Dallas saw several players move to other clubs --- Tyron Smith, LT (Jets), Tony Pollard, RB (Titans), Dorance Armstrong, DE (Commanders), Tyler Biadasz, C (Commanders), Dante Fowler, DE (Commanders), Neville Gallimore, DT (Dolphins), Noah Igbinoghene, CB (Commanders), Johnathan Hankins, DT (Seahawks).

The Cowboys did little in offseason free agency acquisitions. Linebacker Eric Kendricks stands out as he rejoins Zimmer whom he played under at Minnesota.

Dallas' draft picks were led by OT Tyler Guyton and EDGE Marshawn Kneeland (2/24). The others were guard Cooper Beebe (3/9), LB Marist Liufau (3/24), CB Caelen Carson (5/39), WR Ryan Flournoy (6/40), OT Nathan Thomas (7/13)) and DT Justin Rogers (7/24).